You may submit a resume or an Optional
Application for Federal Employment (OF-612 which you may
download from OPM's website) in accordance to the vacancy
announcement instructions. Check the vacancy announcement for
additional forms or documents required by the agency/department to which
you are applying. Take particular note of the information you must
provide if you submit a resume instead of an OF-612.

In an agency covered by the Senior Executive Service (SES), SES positions include positions classified above GS-15 that include duties involving one or more of the functional criteria (executive or managerial) identified in law.
Scientific and professional (ST) positions include positions classified above GS-15 that are not SES positions (i.e., do not involve executive and management responsibilities) and are engaged in research and development in the physical, biological, medical, or engineering sciences, or a closely related field.
Senior level (SL) positions include positions that are not SES positions and are classified above GS-15 based on other factors.
In an agency that is not covered by the SES, either an SL or an ST position may perform duties that involve one or more of the SES functional criteria.

You must first identify a position to apply for.
Agencies announce their SES vacancies on OPM's website USAJOBS. From there, you may
download information on vacancies of interest to you, complete the
application procedures, and submit your application to the agency that
has the vacancy. The agency submits the executive core qualifications
of the person selected to a Qualifications Review Board (QRB) convened
by OPM. The QRB must certify all selectees before they can be appointed
to the SES. Further information about the selection process is
available elsewhere on this site.

No. Because the Fundamental Competencies are cross-cutting, they should
be addressed over the course of the ECQ narrative. It is not necessary
to address them directly as long as the narrative, in its totality,
shows mastery of these competencies on the whole.

Criterion A cases are based on
demonstrated executive experience. Candidates must demonstrate that
they have experience/competence in all 5 ECQs.
Criterion B cases are based on successful
participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program
(SESCDP). Candidates who compete governmentwide and successfully
complete a CDP are eligible for non-competitive appointment to the SES.
(However, successful completion does not guarantee placement in the
SES.)
Criterion C cases are based on the candidate's
having special or unique qualities that indicate a likelihood of success
in the SES. Candidates must demonstrate that they have the
qualifications for the position and the potential to quickly acquire
full competence in the 5 ECQs. The package submitted for QRB approval
must contain the agency's assessment of why the selectee uniquely
qualifies for the position, and an Individual Development Plan that
focuses on the specific ECQs that need to be enhanced.

No. OPM will not pre-review ECQ statements. To do so would be a
conflict of interest since we administer the Qualification Review
Boards, and would also provide the requestor with an unfair advantage
over other applicants.

Yes. When detailed, an individual temporarily leaves his/her position of record but retains his/her pay and benefits. Agencies must compete any detail to an SES position that could result in assignment of a non-SES employee for a period more than 240 days unless the employee is eligible for a noncompetitive career SES appointment. Agencies must receive OPM approval before detailing for longer than 240 days a non-SES member to an SES position that supervises other members of the SES.

The SES insignia or emblem represents a keystone -- the center stone that holds all the stones of an arch in place. This represents the critical role of the SES as a central coordinating point between Government's political leadership which sets the political agenda and the line workers who implement it. Members of the SES translate that political agenda into reality. The upright lines in the center of the keystone represent a column in which individual SES members are united into a single leadership corps. There is no particular symbolism to the number of lines, which has varied over the years with different iterations of the logo. The SES insignia may not be modified.

Yes. When acting, an individual takes on additional responsibilities of the SES position without leaving his/her position of record. This acting authority is meant to cover a short-term absence or vacancy.

The Governmentwide performance requirements were written broadly to incorporate all regulatory and certification criteria and be applicable across all agencies. Agencies have the flexibility to include additional performance requirements under any performance element to increase the usefulness and job specificity needed for their executives.

A number of agencies are currently implementing the basic system description. These agencies will provide feedback and lessons-learned from their experience that will inform any appropriate refinements as other agencies begin to implement.

The design of the basic system description is consistent with how most agencies currently construct performance plans, e.g. results-focused, leadership and accountability. For some agencies, the basic system description may represent a transition to new terms and methods. Agency executive resources staff will develop an implementation plan that will outline an approach to help SES members transition and to construct their performance plans as ECQ-based performance requirements.